1st Hearing Scheduled For 'Vatileaks' Suspects

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 17, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The trial for both suspects involved in the recent Vatican document leaks scandal has been scheduled for the end of September.

In a communique released today by the Vatican press office, Giuseppe della Torre, president of the Tribunal of Vatican City State, issued a decree stating that the first hearing of the trial of Paolo Gabriele and Claudio Sciarpelletti will take place on the morning of Sept. 29. "The hearing will take place in the audience hall of the Tribunal of Vatican City State. The parties concerned have been notified of the decree," the statement read.

Gabriele was formally charged in mid-August with aggravated theft of private documents pertaining to the Holy Father and members of the Curia. Sciarpelleti was charged on the same day with aiding and abetting Gabriele after the fact.

In his interrogation, the former papal butler claimed that, despite recognizing his actions were illegal, he believed the Pope was unaware of corruption within the Church. He went on to claim to be inspired by the Holy Spirit, believing that a media frenzy would be necessary for the Church to get "back onto the right track."

According to the report, several personal items and gifts addressed to the Holy Father were found during the police search of Gabriele's house. Among the items found was a gold nugget from Peru, a check made out to the pope for €100,000 and a 16th century edition of the Aeneid.

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